Weekend TV : ‘Friday the 13th, the Series’ Arrives as Relief for Rerun-Weary Viewers

Tired of the Olympics? Fed up with reruns? Take heart. Several fresh programs will grace the small screen this weekend.

Suspense/horror fans can watch the second-season premiere of “Friday the 13th: The Series” tonight at 7 on Channel 13 (and at 11 p.m. on Channels 6 and 42). This first-run syndicated series, derived from the scary films of the same name but mostly devoid of the same kind of blood and gore, stars John D. LeMay, Robey and Chris Wiggins.

Louis Malle’s “And the Pursuit of Happiness,” a tribute to American immigrants, legal and illegal, airs tonight at 9 on Channel 28. “Be It Remembered,” a personalized comparison of the experiences of early immigrants with those of today, follows at 10:30 p.m.

Late-night TV watchers will find “Sunday Night,” a new variety series from “Saturday Night Live’s” Lorne Michaels, debuting at 12:15 a.m. Monday on NBC. Musicians David Sanborn and Jools Holland are the hosts. Guests include James Taylor and Brazilian superstar Milton Nacimento.

Here are other programs.

TODAY: The topic on “Teen Talk” is institutionalized parents, 7 a.m. (9). . . .

James Baker III, George Bush’s campaign manager, is interviewed by “Evans and Novak,” 9:30 a.m. and 9:30 p.m. CNN. . . .

Israeli foreign minister Shimon Peres guests on “Newsmaker Saturday,” 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. CNN. . . .

“Firing Line” examines the importance of the black vote in the upcoming presidential election, 3:30 p.m. (28). . . .

“Beyond Tomorrow” features the recreational vehicle of the future, a new strain of vegetable and a fully automated house, 9 p.m. (11).

SUNDAY: New York Gov. Mario Cuomo guests on “News Conference” 6:30 a.m. (4). . . .

“2 the Point” looks at menopause and a program for young readers sponsored by the Los Angeles County Public Library, 7 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. (2). . . .

The “McLaughlin Group” covers the presidential debates, the Soviet party reform conference, the ’88 Senate races and the question of whether the U.S. should do better in the Olympics, 7:30 a.m. (4), 5:30 p.m. (50). . . .

Drugs in sports is discussed by former basketball star and Rep. Tom McMillan (D-Md.), sports history professor Terry Todd, Carey McDonald, former director of the National High School Athletic Coaches Assn., and Olympic gold medalist Bruce Jenner, 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. CNN. . . .

“Sunday Morning” reports on charges of racial discrimination against minorities in the FBI, profiles artist Dong Kingman and looks at the artistic talent of the homeless who live in a Chicago shelter, 8 a.m. (2)(8). . . .

“Meet the Press” airs at 8 a.m. (4)(36), 1 a.m. (39). . . .

Two women try to change negative black images on “Tony Brown’s Journal,” 10:30 a.m. (28). . . .

“Business World” examines the textile bill veto with Sen. Terry Sanford (D-N.C.), 10:30 a.m. (7), 11 a.m. (3)(42). . . .

“This Week With David Brinkley” follows at 11:30 a.m. (7)(10), 11:30 a.m. (3)(42), covering “The Soviet Union: Shake-up in the Kremlin.” Guests include Gennadi Gerasimov, Soviet foreign ministry spokesman in New York; William Hyland, editor of “Foreign Affairs,” and Marshall Goldman of the Russian Research Center at Harvard University. . . .

“At Issue” debates oil drilling in the Pacific Palisades with Los Angeles City Councilman Zev Yaroslavsky and Mickey Kantor, legal counsel for the pro-drilling initiative, 2 p.m. (2). . . .

“Newsmakers” discusses America’s future in space with Tom Paine, former director of NASA, and Bruce Murray, former director of the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, 2:30 p.m. (2). . . .

“Face the Nation” covers America’s return to space at 3 p.m. (2).

“60 Minutes” interviews John Lennon’s first wife, Cynthia, and his second wife, Yoko Ono, reports on the potentially dangerous side effects of human growth hormone now frequently used by athletes, and profiles Dance Theatre of Harlem founder Arthur Mitchell, 7 p.m. (2)(8).

“Cocoon,” the 1985 film with Don Ameche and Wilford Brimley, airs at 9 p.m. (2)(8).

--STEVE WEINSTEIN